When it comes to negotiating your salary, one of the worst things you can say is 'I have bills to pay', according to hiring expert and career strategist Chris Donnelly, who issued the warning in a widely shared post on LinkedIn. While the phrase may feel honest and relatable, Donnelly explains that it shifts the conversation from professional value to personal desperation — and could leave you earning less than you deserve.
Donnelly says this line is problematic because it frames the negotiation around your personal financial needs, rather than on the value you bring to the company. Employers are not paying you to fund your lifestyle — they are paying for outcomes, expertise and results. When candidates justify their salary expectations with phrases like 'my rent has gone up' or 'I need to support my family', it gives employers leverage to push back, or even question their professionalism.
